Bury St Edmunds Cornhill Walk Shopping Centre could be turned into flats under new proposals

Revised plans to transform an empty Bury St Edmunds shopping centre into flats have been submitted.

Proposals have been put forward to turn Cornhill Walk, in Brentgovel Street, into 45 homes, with provision for car and cycle parking, as well as two commercial units.

The shopping centre, which was built on the site of the former Art Deco Odeon cinema, closed in 2016.

Previous plans had been submitted for 48 homes, as well as shops and leisure facilities, in 2019, but these were rejected in 2021 after an appeal.

The original proposals were turned down by West Suffolk Council in September 2019 on the grounds of mass, scale and proximity to the Grade-I listed Moyse's Hall.

Speaking in 2020, Pauline Judge, of Wall Street, said while the area needs developing, it needs to be done 'sensitively and less intensively'.

At the appeal in February 2021, John Dagg, of the Well Street Association, told the planning inspectorate it was 'simply too big for its context'.

“We recognise that real efforts have been made to address this,” said Mr Dagg. “But we are very concerned. Despite the efforts that have been made the resulting impact will be terrible.

“What is on the site at the moment is not necessarily the best starting point for judging what is appropriate for the redevelopment.”

Planning inspector Carole Dillon concluded at the appeal: “Unacceptable harm would be imposed on the living conditions of occupants of existing dwellings and would present conflict with the development plan.

“Less than substantial harm would be imposed on designated heritage assets and their setting."

She added the public benefits from the proposal would not out-weigh the identified harm to heritage assets within the vicinity of the development.

If approved, new plans would see the ground floor turned into two commercial units.

A design and access statement, submitted by applicants Knightspur Homes, said: "Declining need in retail in the area gives an opportunity to change the use of the site to mixed use.

"Provision of residential units along with a smaller number of better quality and visible retail spaces will revitalise the area."

A total of 37 flats will be provided as part of the plans, with associated parking provided on the ground floor in the new courtyard.

Proposals submitted to West Suffolk Council also includes plans for two three-bedroom semi-detached houses, as well as town houses.

"The proposed development on the site of Cornhill Walk Shopping Centre aims to revitalise the area," the application added.

"The change of use from retail to mixed use – retail and residential – allows for more activity throughout the day."